Staubli 9727192 Research in molecular biology and genetics has led to the development of techniques to delete or modify specific receptors or signaling substances important for nervous system function. This work has revolutionized the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of physiological processes believed important for the brain's regulation of memory, perception, and the control of movement. The development of methods to test the three-way links between the genetic changes, physiological mechanisms, and behavior have lagged behind. This project develops a method for stimulating and recording physiological activity in the nervous system in such a way that it can be applied to the model organisms often used in molecular genetics. The hardware and procedures developed by the project provide a way to assess brain function and changes in awake, behaving organisms and relate them to functions at the molecular level and at the behavioral level. This work would contribute to understanding how neural systems at the cell and molecular level work to mediate learning and memory, and in a more general way, provides a tool to explore the link between molecular biology and behavior in many areas.
